Springtime on Eternia was, in a word, beautiful. The simple peace of nature allowed one to forget the troubles and heartache of the constant battles that plagued the planet. Orko the Trollan was leaning against a small clump of trees overlooking an enormous meadow in which wild animals were playing, but found his attention drawn to something, or rather someone else.
"This was a lovely spot for a picnic Orko," Dree Elle said in her soft melodious voice. "It's so pretty."
"I'll say," Orko sighed, though he wasn't talking about the landscape. Even with her veil up Dree Elle was, in his mind, the most beautiful thing in the universe. Her visits from their homeland of Trolla were something he always looked forward to. Although he had made many friends on Eternia, he occasionally needed to be with his own kind. And there was none among them he'd rather be with than Dree Elle.
Even on a world as diverse in races as Eternia, Trollans didn't exactly fit in. Trollans are elf like magical beings averaging about two to three and a half feet in height. To say they stand that high is not exactly accurate for, although they are bipedal and humanoid in structure, instead of walking they continuously levitate and float through the air. The Trollan's skin is a light blue color, though usually the only parts exposed are their four fingered hands and long pointed ears, which stuck out through holes in their head-wear. Trollans keep their faces covered at all times leaving only their eyes visible. All Trollans are magical beings yet their powers are often affected by their environment as Orko discovered when he had been transported to Eternia by a magical storm.
No sooner had Orko arrived than he wound up using his powers to save the life of young Prince Adam. In gratitude the royal family had taken him in, given him a place to live and new friends. Becoming a sort of surrogate family to him. Nevertheless, Orko inevitably would grow homesick. The fact that his magic often went wrong and made him a jester in the eyes of many Eternians didn't help any.
But then Dree Elle came into his life, having also been magically transported to Eternia. It was love at first sight. Dree Elle had eventually returned to Trolla while Orko remained on Eternia, but they kept in constant contact through frequent visits and sending inter-dimensional letters. Despite living in different worlds they had managed to make their relationship work. Dree Elle had provided Orko with more than a girlfriend. Through her he had gained a link back to his homeland. Suddenly he didn't feel so alone anymore. It was a debt he could never repay.
Orko glanced around to make sure that they were in fact alone. Dree Elle had been forced to bring her little brother Yuckers with her to Eternia, but they had managed to slip out of the palace so they could spend some quality time together. Not that Orko didn't like Yuckers but, although he had mellowed a bit, he was still a huge practical joker and Orko wasn't in the mood. Besides, he needed to talk to Dree Elle in private.
Seeing that no one else was around Orko reached into his robes and pulled out the small box he had been carrying. He turned the box over in his fingers several times trying to build up his courage. He needed to do this. Dree Elle and he had shown each other their faces, something Trollans only did with someone they truly loved, but now this would make everything official.
"Dree Elle, can I ask you something?"
"Of course Orko."
"Well, we've known each other for some time now. I really treasure the time we have together and even though we're constantly apart I want you to know that, well I really love you."
"Oh Orko, I love you too," Dree Elle said and floated over to him. Raising her veil ever so slightly she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Orko's head was swimming and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest but he somehow managed to control himself. "Well I know that you couldn't give up your life in Trolla. And as long as Skeletor's around I could never abandon my friends here on Eternia but still I was hoping... I mean I was wondering if maybe... you know you'd..."
"Orko, are you asking me to..." but before Dree Elle could finish something caught her attention and Orko's.
Because of their highly receptive Trollan ears they heard the noise before anyone else would have. It was the sound of engines. There were some kind of vehicles approaching. Looking out into the meadow they soon saw the cause. A young human female dressed in a red ninja outfit was running towards them pursued by several strangely dressed soldiers on vehicles. Orko recognized the design as an Earth vehicle called a motorcycle. What they were doing here he couldn't tell but it didn't take a genius to see who the bad guys were.
"Come on we've got to help her!" Dree Elle shouted, taking off as fast as she could. Orko followed tucking the box back into his robes. It would have to wait till later. But, he hoped, not too much later.
Jinx knew she was as good as dead. There was no way she could outrun a squad of motorcycles on foot. She might as well try taking on a Cobra Rattler fighter jet with a hang glider. But when she did loose it wouldn't be for lack of effort. Besides, if she could stay just a couple steps ahead of them maybe, just maybe, she would run into help.
No it was hopeless.
As if to add insult to injury -or perhaps visa-versa- her foot hit a rock sprawling her face down on the ground. Jinx looked up as the Viper closed in on her and took careful aim with his assault rifle.
As he pulled the trigger however the barrel sparkled for a moment and then instead of a barrage of bullets only a small flag with the word "BANG" emerged. Shocked the Viper brought his bike to a stop.
Dree Elle floated down and placed herself between Jinx and the Viper. Her spell had worked but she knew it was going to take more to get rid of these guys.
"I don't know who you are," she said, "but you need to leave now before I really get mad!" Dree Elle hoped she sounded threatening enough. Truth be told, she wasn't very experienced at this.
The two other Vipers skidded to a stop next to their comrade and stared at Dree Elle with equal looks of confusion. Finally one of them spoke up.
"What the hell is that thing?"
"Thing?!" Dree Elle shouted her eyes narrowing in anger.
"Who cares?" The squad leader growled. "Waste it and grab the Joe!"
"That does it!" Orko shouted having caught up just in time to hear the Vipers' derogatory statements. "Nobody talks about my girlfriend that way!"
With that Orko let fly with a burst of magic from his hands. Instantly the motorcycles revved up on their own and shot backwards. In a matter of seconds the startled Vipers were a mile away and still going in reverse.
"Great move Orko," Dree Elle said giving him a quick hug.
"Thanks," Orko muttered embarrassed- not wanting to admit that it hadn't been what he had intended to do.
"Thank you, wha... whoever you are," Jinx said gasping for breath. She had almost said 'whatever you are' but caught herself, not wanting to insult them.
"My name's Dree Elle and this is Orko. Who are you?"
"I'm called Jinx," she said hoping that would be enough. She didn't want to have to go into detail about how it was actually her code name and that her real name was classified. Even most of her fellow G.I. Joes didn't know her true name. Fortunately Orko and Dree Elle seemed to accept it without question.
"Why were those guys after you?" Dree Elle asked.
"To keep me from informing on them," Jinx said slowly, still breathing heavily. She had been running for what seemed like an eternity. "I have to find Eternos. Do you know where it is?"
"Sure. I live there," Orko said, a little surprised. He thought everyone knew how to get to Eternos. Then again, given the oddity of those who had been chasing her, perhaps she wasn't from anywhere nearby.
"Please, can you take me there?" Jinx tried to get to her feet but fell forward, all her energy spent. Dree Elle caught her, a look of extreme concern in her eyes.
"You're exhausted. You need to rest first."
Jinx shook her head. "No time. Have to warn them about Skeletor and C..."
Jinx had meant to say 'Cobra' but didn't have to. As soon as they had heard the name Skeletor, Orko and Dree Elle had each taken one of her arms, draped it over their shoulders and lifted Jinx up so that her feet dangled a few inches off the ground. Then, without a word, they took off for the city as fast as they could go.
This is all I could find," Cover Girl said setting a small stack of books down in front of Scarlett and pulling up a chair. Scarlett sighed and opened the top book. Until her shoulder healed completely she was on the inactive roster. But Jinx was one of her best friends and she was determined to do her part in the search.
So she had turned to the research library hoping to find something that would give them a clue as to what had happened. Her friend and fellow Joe Cover Girl had offered to help when Scarlett turned to a somewhat less conventional approach.
"Sorry I couldn't do better Scarlett, but there just aren't that many books on sorcery at our disposal."
"We'll just have to make do," Scarlett said not looking up until Cover Girl suddenly grabbed the stack of books and flipped it over hiding the titles from sight.
"What are you..."
"It's Sci-Fi! Look busy and don't make eye contact!" Cover Girl hissed grabbing a book and opening it flat on the table. She didn't like Sci-Fi. He was undeniably a valuable soldier on the battlefield, but otherwise he was just annoying. Sci-Fi was, as his name somewhat suggested, a technology freak and that was all he was interested in. If he got to talking it was about electronics and quickly turned boring. The worst part was Sci-Fi was so into it that he could go on for hours completely oblivious to the fact that the person he was talking to had fallen asleep. The only useful conversation Cover Girl could ever remember having with him was when he showed her how to program a VCR.
Furthermore, Sci-Fi was very close-minded and skeptical, which is why Cover Girl had chosen to hide what they were looking at from him. Unfortunately he was also very curious and wandered over to them anyway. As he picked up one of the books the two women braced themselves for what they both knew was coming.
"A Guide to Witchcraft? I thought you were trying to find Jinx."
"We are," Scarlett said still not looking up. "I don't mean to be rude Sci-Fi, but we're kind of busy here."
"I can't believe you're buying into this!" Sci-Fi said exasperated. "There's a perfectly scientific explanation for what happened."
Cover Girl sighed and snatched the book out of his hand. Sci-Fi had once tried to find a scientific explanation for why toast always landed jelly side down.
"You weren't there Sci-Fi! Scarlett knows what she saw." That actually wasn't true. Scarlett had no idea what she had seen, but she did know it was paranormal in nature.
"Everything can be explained rationally," Sci-Fi said, though with a slight quiver in his voice, apparently remembering the toast incident as well.
"Look," Scarlett said finally taking her eyes off the book, "I tried using the scientific method and came up with precisely dick. When you eliminate the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be possible."
"So is that what you're doing now?" Sci-Fi grinned. "Eliminating the impossible? I can make it faster for you." With that he swiped all of the sorcery books on to the floor. Scarlett stared at him slack jawed. Sci-Fi wasn't normally this rude. Cover Girl bent down to pick up the books and gestured to Scarlett that she'd get them alone, not wanting her to strain her shoulder.
"If you're not going to contribute," Scarlett said angrily, "then go away and let us work."
"Suit yourself," Sci-Fi said turning to leave. "Whole thing's a waste of time anyway, looking for a useless ninja. Hot tempered little brat probably got what she deserved."
Scarlett and Cover Girl's replies were very unladylike and are best left unquoted.
King Randor stroked his beard in thought as he listened to Orko recount the events of that afternoon to him. He glanced over at his wife, Queen Marlena, who was staring at Orko fully engrossed in his tale. Randor could understand. Marlena was from Earth after all and she would naturally be intrigued by the possibility of other earthlings on Eternia. At the same time though this made him wary.
"Did the earthling say exactly what Skeletor was planning?" he asked as Orko reached the end of his tale.
"Well she started to," Orko said, "but she passed out before she could really tell us anything. Poor girl was exhausted."
Marlena turned to her husband, "Randor, do you really think it's possible that there are earthlings on Eternia?"
"I don't know," Randor said, a clear sign of doubt in his voice. "This may simply be a trick of Skeletor's to fool us into trusting one of his spies."
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I don't think so." Orko said slowly. "Those guys that attacked her seamed pretty serious to me. Plus there was something about that symbol they wore."
"Yes tell us about that," Randor said. "You said it was like the Snake Men's?"
"Well not really," Orko said. "It was a snake but not like King Hiss' mark. It was just the head more like... well here let me show you."
Orko muttered a blur of incomprehensible words and an image began forming in front of him. However, all he managed to conger was a large yellow face that gave everyone in the room the raspberry before disappearing.
"Sorry, that's not it," Orko said embarrassed. He closed his eyes and concentrated hard. This time the shape took the correct form of the symbol. A large cobra head with its fangs bared ready to strike.
Marlena gasped and stared transfixed at the image a look of absolute terror on her face.
"My love are you all right?" Randor asked with concern.
Marlena didn't answer him but continued to stare at the symbol. Finally she found her voice, "Orko are you sure this is the emblem you saw?"
Orko was equally surprised by the queen's reaction. "Yes Your Majesty. I'm positive that's what it looked like."
Slowly Queen Marlena tore her eyes away from the haunting image and looked down at Orko. "Where is the girl now?"
"She's in the hospital wing resting," said Orko. "Dree Elle is watching over her."
The queen's voice was still trembling, "I'd like to see her as soon as possible." Orko nodded to her and flew off towards the hospital wing. Marlena leaned back on her throne breathing heavily. Randor stared at his wife with deep concern. Something about that symbol had rattled her beyond belief.
"Marlena, please tell me, what's troubling you?" he asked her softly, but if she heard him, she gave no indication. She simply continued to shake her head and whispered to herself.
"It can't be. It's not possible. They can't be here. It just can't be."
As Jinx slowly came to the first thing she realized was that she was lying in a bed. It was a dream, she thought. I'm back at Joe Headquarters and none of it was real. As she thought about it she realized it had to have been. Although she could never remember having so vivid a dream, that was the simplest explanation. However, she was having difficulty figuring out where the reality ended and the dream began.
Her fight with Vypra had been real. She knew that for a fact, but then what had happened? Had Vypra somehow drugged her causing the hallucination of her fading away and both of them being dragged to another world? No, Jinx knew Vypra and if the assassin could have drugged her without being noticed she wouldn't have bothered with hallucinogens, but would have instead gone straight to a deadly concoction.
It was more or less at this point that Jinx's vision began to take focus and she realized that she had no idea where she was. It was definitely some kind of medical ward but the structure was unfamiliar and the equipment was unlike anything she had seen anywhere on Earth.
A small, blue, four-fingered hand fell on her shoulder, causing Jinx to scream and jump out of the bed. At the same time there was another scream from the hand's owner. Jinx looked around and saw Dree Elle floating nearby her eyes wide with fright.
"I'm sorry," Jinx said slowly. "You startled me." Reality set in. It had all been true. She really was on another world. Remembering how Dree Elle had saved her from the Vipers, Jinx now felt even more ashamed that she had frightened her.
"That's okay," Dree Elle said calming down. "I'm glad you're finally awake."
Jinx smiled. She liked Dree Elle already. Since her arrival on Eternia she'd encountered creatures that were bizarre, monsters that were horrifying, and things that were almost indescribable, but this was the first alien she'd met that was actually... cute. On top of that, there was something about her soft voice that was warm, friendly, and comforting, which made it a lot easier for Jinx to deal with her current situation.
There was a knock at the door and then another Trollan floated into the room carrying a tray of food and a pitcher of wine. This one had on a small orange baseball cap and was sporting a large Y on his robes.
"I thought our guest might like some refreshments," he said.
Dree Elle eyed him suspiciously. "This isn't another one of your practical jokes is it Yuckers? Jinx has been through a lot and she doesn't need any of your foolishness right now."
"Oh all right," Yuckers sighed and exited the room taking everything he had brought in with him. Dree Elle rolled her eyes and shook her head. She didn't even want to know what her brother had planned on doing.
Jinx was trying to find a polite way to ask what the hell had just happened when Orko arrived to let them know that the queen wanted to see her.
"So you're really from Earth," Orko said as they walked down the corridors.
"Yes," Jinx nodded. "How much do you know about Earth?"
"Quite a bit," said Orko. "Queen Marlena comes from there too."
"Really?" Jinx said intrigued. "How long has she been here?"
Orko thought about it for a moment. "A long time. Over twenty years I'd say."
"TWENTY YEARS?" Jinx shouted stopping dead in her tracks. "Isn't there any way back to Earth?" Jinx had been so preoccupied with Cobra, Skeletor and the prospect of being on an alien planet that it hadn't occurred to her until now that she might never be able to return home.
"Oh no it's not like that," Orko said, quickly realizing what she must be thinking. With that he began to explain how Marlena had been an astronaut from Earth who had crashed on Eternia. How she had fallen in love with and married King Randor and raised a family on her new home. "So you see," he said finishing his tale, "Queen Marlena stayed on Eternia not because she had to but because she wanted to. Don't worry. I'm sure we can get you back to your home."
By now they had reached the throne room. Although still concerned about how she would be getting back to Earth, Jinx approached Randor and Marlena and politely bowed, hoping that the custom was the same here. Marlena slowly got up and walked over to Jinx. She gently lifted her chin so that they were looking each other in the eye.
"Just tell me," Marlena said firmly. "Is it true? Is Cobra on Eternia?"
"I'm afraid so," Jinx said, a little surprised because she had not yet mentioned Cobra by name. With that she began recounting the events of the past day. How she and her fellow G.I. Joes had been tracking down Vypra. How Skeletor and Hiss' magic had pulled her and Vypra to Eternia. How Saurod had helped her escape from Viper Tower (Judging by the looks on their faces they found that part a little hard to believe) and finally how Dree Elle and Orko had saved her from the Vipers and brought her to the city. When she was finished the room fell silent as Randor pondered her story.
"If this is all true..." he began but Marlena cut him off.
"It must be true Randor," she said in a tone that called for no argument. "There is no way Skeletor could have known about Cobra in order to fake this. Cobra is the most ruthless, evil, terrorist organization on Earth, but they are restricted only to Earth."
"But my dear..." Randor began only to be interrupted again.
"Believe me Randor I wish it wasn't so, but the fact is Cobra is here now on Eternia and we should not, and cannot, take this lightly." She turned to Eternia's Man-At-Arms who was standing nearby. "Duncan, we're going to need lots of help. With the entire Cobra army behind him Skeletor hopelessly outnumbers us. Do you think you can somehow contact He-Man?"
Duncan was silent for a moment then spoke with a slight nervous twitch to his voice. He was one of the few people who knew Adam was really He-Man and often had to come up with cover stories for his young friend.
"Normally it wouldn't be a problem Your Majesty," he said, "but I'm afraid He-Man is on Etheria helping She-Ra fight the Horde right now."
"Adam just went to Etheria to see Adora," Randor said. "If I had known He-Man was going too I would have asked him to accompany Adam."
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that," Duncan said, suppressing a smile. "I'm sure Adam and He-Man are in the same place. I'm going to go to Castle Grayskull. Perhaps The Sorceress can help us contact He-Man. Even if she can't, someone should inform her about Cobra."
"I agree," said Marlena. "Orko, I want you to go find Gwildor. We're going to need the Cosmic Key." She turned back to the young Joe. "Jinx, I know you're probably feeling homesick, but I was hoping you could convince your fellow G.I. Joes to come here to Eternia and help us."
"Of course Your Highness," Jinx nodded. "I'll do whatever I can to help. And thank you for believing me."
"It is I who should be thanking you for warning us, my friend," she said. "I know first hand what Cobra is capable of."
Jinx stared at the queen a moment and the truth became clear.
"You were a G.I. Joe weren't you?"
There was a moment of awkward silence and then Marlena nodded.
"Yes I was."
Saurod stood leaning against the wall, his eyes closed and his head bowed, looking for all intents and purposes like he was resting. In truth however he was taking in every word of the heated augment that was commencing a short distance away.
"Eternia is my planet," Skeletor was saying,. "You and your soldiers are guests here, so I'd advise you not to cross me."
"We had agreed that my soldiers would remain under my command," Cobra Commander shot back. "In the interest on maintaining our alliance, I will overlook your actions this time, but from now on you are to discuss punishments for my soldiers with me BEFORE they are disintegrated!"
Beneath his mask Saurod allowed himself a faint smile. Though he had not witnessed Skeletor's outburst of rage when the Vipers had returned, having been beaten by a mere two Trollans, he could easily picture the looks on their faces seconds before they ceased to be matter. Cobra Commander didn't really have room to talk to Skeletor about brutal punishments though. He himself had once had several of his own men buried alive under a volcano.
"Now then, let's analyze this fully," Cobra Commander continued, getting down to business. "I think it's safe to assume that Jinx has notified the Eternians about us, so there goes our surprise attack."
"I hate to say I told you so..." Vypra began.
"Why do I doubt that?" Skeletor mumbled.
"...but if you had just killed Jinx when you had the chance we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Cobra Commander decided to counter his own soldier before Skeletor lost his temper again, "None of that would have mattered if Saurod hadn't been such an idiot and allowed her to escape."
At this Saurod's eyes shot open wide, his whole body stiffened, and he shouted at the top of his lungs, "LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS!"
Saurod had managed to get everyone to forget about how he had let Jinx escape by keeping to himself and staying quiet- which was normal behavior for him anyway. Though he was pleased to learn she had accomplished her task, now he feared for his own well being. It seamed as though Skeletor's anger had been renewed and the possibility of another round of burning torture was foremost on Saurod's mind.
Therefore it was a great relief when the battle falcon Screeech glided in through the window and perched upon Skeletor's throne drawing everyone's attention to him.
"Ah, welcome back my feathered friend," Skeletor grinned, stroking the bird's head. "Unlike most of my warriors I can always depend on you. What news do you have for us?"
Screeech squawked out a long series of cries, which were then translated for them by Beast Man.
"A small group of the Eternian forces left the palace a short while ago. Man-At-Arms separated from the others and headed towards Grayskull. The rest of them, along with Jinx, were last seen headed towards Thenur."
A look of puzzlement crept over King Hiss's artificial face. "The Thenurians are a bunch of diminutive pacifists! What would the Eternians want with them?"
Skeletor gave him a rap across the head. "You have a brain Hiss, try using it some time! Gwildor- the Cosmic Key!"
"This key couldn't send Cobra back to Earth could it?" Cobra Commander asked.
"No, but it could bring the rest of the Joes here!" Skeletor turned to his lackeys. "Saurod this is your chance to redeem yourself. Take whatever crack troops you need and finish off that red garbed troublemaker once and for all."
Saurod's jaw dropped- not that anyone noticed with his helmet- and he struggled to find the right words.
"My lord, I don't think..."
"I've noticed that!" Skeletor snapped. "You will do as I say, worm. Now go! The rest of you prepare yourselves. We begin our assault at sundown!"
The assembled warriors dispersed to ready themselves for battle. Saurod remained still a moment longer until a glance from Skeletor sent him slowly slinking away. After he was gone Vypra suddenly stopped and began to follow after him."
"What are you doing?" Cobra Commander called after her.
"Jinx has eluded us twice already, Commander," Vypra called over her shoulder. "There will be no mistakes this time. I'm going after her myself."
